Control apparatus.



K. A. SIMMON &A. J. HALL.

CONTROL APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILE D JUNE 20, I914.

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

w Y 0m M T I R 0 ma n 1 A If S 0v J F I V a 2 J F 4 4 5 a F o r o O l m v d .0. m W H3 b h r W2 illll S x l. S M m 00 2 a m m 3 J 5 6 7 1 6 fl H E J llFw b J 4 7 WITNESSES: fleddhfi/ THE COLUMBIA PLANouRAPH 310., WASHINGTON. D. C.

' To all whom it may concern KARL A. SI1V.l'.1V[ON AND ARTHUR J'. HALL, OF WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGN- ORS TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORA- TION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

CONTROL APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent. P t t Feb 1, 191

Application filed June 20, 1914. Serial No. 846,289.

Be it known that we, KARL A.

dent of /Vill insbu1g, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, andAR- THUR J. HALL, a subject of the King of irreat Britain, and a resident ofvlVilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Control Apparatus, of which the following isa specification.

Ourinvention relates to control apparatus, with special reference to the operating mechanisms of a plurality of liquid rheostats such as are employed for governing the acceleration of electric locomotives that are propelled by polyphase induction motors.

()ne of the objects of our invention is to provide control apparatus of the above indicated type which shall be simple, compact and durable in construction and which shall effectively and reliably actuate the moving parts of a plurality of liquid rheostats, and, which, moreover, shall be particularly designed for a minimum height which is essential for apparatus employed upon electric locomotives where the head-room is limited.

It is the specific object of our invention to provide an operating mechanism for rheostats of the type disclosed in a copend-ing application, Serial No. 829,432, filed April 4,1914, by George M. Eaton and assigned to the l Vestinghouse Electric and ll lanufacturing Company, and, moreover, to conveniently associate therewith a plurality of auxiliary interlock switches for governing the circuit connections of a system like that set forth in our copending application, Serial No.-846,287, filed of even date herewith.

In the accompanying drawing,'Figure 1 is a view, partially in'section and partially in side elevation, of a mechanism constructed in accordance with our inventiong'Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, certain parts being broken away for the sake of clearness; and Figs. 3 and 4 are, respectively, sectional views taken along the lines III-III and IV-IV of Fig. 1. j

Referring to the drawing, the apparatus shown comprises a plurality of liquid rheostats 1 and 2, each having a movable dis-' 7 SiMMoN, a c1tizen of the United States, and a res1- charge valve 3 and a movable regulating valve 4, a fluid-operated mechanism 5dis: posed intermediate the rheostats 1 and 2 and adapted to concurrently actuate the regulating valves 4, a plurality of fluid-operated devices 6 and 7 for respectively actuating the discharge valves 3 of the several rheostats 1 and 2, and a plurality of auX- iliary interlock switches 8, 9, 10 and 11 for making and breaking certain control circuits (not shown) in accordance with .predetermined conditions.

No detailed description of the liquid rheostats will be given,- inasmuch as an exposition thereof may be found in the Eaton application hereinbefore referred to. It will be understood, however, that the discharge valve 3 is adapted to be moved downwardly to close the discharge openings 13, whereby the electrolyte, which is preferably continuously. circulated into the rheostat, is caused to rise to --a level corresponding to the upper end of the regulating valve 4. The regulating valve 4 is adapted to be raised and low:

ered in position for the purpose of fixing the. height of the electrolyte with respect to termediate the ends thereof, which are sub stantially equal in length to the travel of aplurality of movable pistons 24 and 25 which are disposed within the respective ends of the cylinder 18 and are connected by a piston rod 26. The rod 26 preferably comprises two parts 26 and 26 of substantially equal length which are screw threaded or otherwise suitably secured to a coupling 27 having a cross bar or member 28, the respective ends of which project through the slots 21.

upon at a material distance from the cross bar 28. The sleeve member 30 is rigidly secured to the bar 28 by downwardly projecting arms 32 and 83, and its upper end is provided with a plurality of lugs 34 to which A sleeve member 30 surrounds the; cylinder 18 and has a sliding bearing therea pair of cross members 36 and 37 are attached by bolts 38, or other suitable means. A plurality of rods 41-0 and 41 are pivot-ally associated with the corresponding ends of themembers 3G and 37 and are suspended therefrom, the lower ends thereof being suitably secured to the regulating valves 4. Thus, the several regulating valves are me chanically associated with the common operating mechanism and are, therefore, actuated concurrently in accordance with the movements of the pistons 21- and By reason of the oltset relation of the supporting members 36 and 37 and the sleev 30 to which they are attached, with respect to the cross bar 28' which is located at the midpoint of the piston rod 26, a material reduction'in the total height of the apparatus is permitted without 7 afl'ecting the desired length of travel of the moving parts, whereby the apparatus may be conveniently adapt ed for use in a locomotive cab.

A plurality of supporting members +12 and i3 are attached to the upper end of the cylinder 18 and project outwardly in opposite directions to carry the respective operating devices 6 and 7 which are of like construction, each comprising a cylinder M, a movable piston a piston rod 46, an opposing spring -17, and an electrically operated valve 8. The piston rod s6 is secured to the movable piston l5 and is associated with a rod 49 which carries a yoke 50 from which the discharge valve is suspended. The spring l7 surrounds the rod l6 and serves to maintain the piston at?) in its upper position, except when the valve 48' is caused to admit operating fluid above said piston, as will be understood. The operating devices 6 and 7 are entirely separate and are adapted to independently gov ern the actuation of the discharge valves 3 of the respective rheostats 1 and 2-.

The switches S and 9, which are respeetively associated with the operating devices 6 and 7, are also of like construction, and each comprises a stationary contact member 50 that is suitably secured to and insulated from the cylinder 44: and a set of movable contactfingers 51 that are adapted to cooperate therewith and are provided with one or more springs 52 for normally biasing them to a predetermined position. The fingers 51 are mounted upon a member of L-shape having a pin 5st associated with its free end and projecting upwardly into the cylinder 4:4: where it is adapted to be engaged by an enlarged portion associated with the piston rod 46, when the piston 45 has been actuated to its lowest position in which the discharge valve 3 is completely closed.

The interlock switches 10 and 11 are of Somewhat similar construction to those just described, the switch 10 being associated with rheostat 2, and the switch 11 being mounted upon one of the upper supporting members 42 and 43. The switch 10 is normally biased to one of its positions and is moved into its other position by the engagement of one of the cross members 36 and 37 with its movable parts, which occurs only when the operating mechanism 5 occupies its extreme lowest position. The switch 11 also normally biased to a predetermined position and is actuated only by engagement with one of the cross members 36 ant 3T when the operating mechanism 5 is at its upper limit oi travel.

Assuming the apparatus to occupy the positions shown in the drawing, the operation thereof is as follows: Fluid-pressure is first admitted into the cylinders H. of operating devices 6 and 7 through the valve 48, whereby pistons and their associated discharge valves 3 are moved downwardly into their lowest positions. In so doing, the dis charge openings are closed while the enlarged portions oi the piston rods L6 engage the pins 54 oi auxiliary interlock switches 8 and 9 and cause said switches to be actuated. Subsequently, valves 19 and 20 may be manipulated to ell ect an unbalanced pressure relation in the respective ends of the cylinder 18. whereby the associated pistons 24 and 2 3 are moved upwardly to cause the regulating valves l of the respective rheostats i and 2 to be concurrentlv elevated in position. T he upward movement of the valves r may be arrested at any time by emialization or balancing the pressures acting upon the pistons Qland 25.

'As the regulating valves 4- are gradually raised, the level of the inflowing electrolyte within the rheostats l and 2 is correspond ingly raised.

The interlock switch 10, is of course, permitted to be actuated as soon as the upward movement of the operating device 5 is effected, inasmuch as the members and 37 disengage the movable parts thereof. hen the operating mechanism 5 reaches its upper limit of travel, the members 36 and 3? engage the movable parts of interlock switch 1.1 and ellcct its actuation, as will be understood.

In order to return the various parts of the apparatus to their initial positions, it is only necessary to manipulate the valves 19 and 20 to effect an unbalanced pressure relation, whereby the movable parts of the operating mechanism 5 are lowered and the associated regulating valves 4 again assume their first positions.

If the valves 48 be manipulated to release the operating fluid from above the pistons t5, the springs a? serve to raise the pistons 4's") and, consequently, the discharge valves 3 to their initial positions. Ob-

viously the operation of the operating devices 5, 6 and 7 in the opposite direction efi'ects a reverse action of the several interlock switches 8, 9, 10 and 11, as willbe understood. 7

Many modifications may be effected in the structural details and in the arrangement and location of parts of the apparatus herein described without departing from; the spirit and scope of our invention, and such modifications are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. The combination with a plurality of liquid rheostats having movable discharge valves and regulating valves, of an operating device disposed intermediate saidv rheostats for concurrently actuating said regulating valves, supporting means carried by said device, and a plurality of operating devices attached thereto for severally actuating said discharge valves.

The combinationwith a plurality of liquid rheostats having movable discharge valves and regulating valves, of pneumatic means disposed intermediate said rheostats for actuating said regulating valves concurrently, a plurality of pneumatic meansfor severally actuating said discharge valves, and means for supporting said'last pneumatic 'means upon said first pneumatic means.

3. The combination with a pair of liquid rheostats disposed in side-by-side relation and each having a movable discharge valve and a movable regulating valve, of a poweroperated device disposed between said rheostats, means associated with said device and adapted to be moved thereby for concurrently actuating said regulating valves, supporting members secured to the upper end of said device, and other power-operated devices severally attached to the respective ends of said supporting members and adapted to independently actuate said discharge valves.

4:. The combination with a pair of liquid rheostats severally having movable concentric discharge valves and regulating valves, a power-operated device disposed intermediate said rheostats and having a movable member associated therewith and adapted to suspend and actuate both of said regulating valves, of oppositely projecting arms secured to the upper end of said device and other power-operated devices attached to the respective ends of said arms and severally adapted toindependently suspend and actuate said discharge valves.

5. The combination witha pair of liquid rheostats having movable regulating valves,

of an operating cylinder disposed intermediate said rheostats, a pair ofpistons within the respective ends of said cylinder, a rod joining said pistons, and means mechanically associated with said rod-below the upper ends of said rheostats for concurrently actuating said regulating valves.

6. The combination with a plurality of liquid rheostats having movable regulating valves, of an electrically controlled device disposed between said rheostats and having relatively movable members, one of which is adapted to be raised and lowered, means disposed above said rheostats and cooperating with said device and mechanically associated with said regulating valves, and means for associating said means with said movable member at a point materially below the :iupper ends of said-rheostats. 1

7 The combination With a plurality of liquid rheostats having movable regulating valves, of an electrically controlled device disposed between said rheostats and having relatively movable members, one of which is adapted to be raised and lowered, a cross member having a sliding engagement with said stationary member and adapted to support said regulating valves, and downwardly projecting members rigidly secured to said cross member and attached to said movable member at a point materially below the upper ends of said rheostat.

8. The combination with a plurality of liquid rheostats having movable regulating valves, of an electro-pneumatic operating device disposed between said rheostats and embodying a cylinder having longitudinal slots intermediate its ends and a movable piston contained therein, a sliding sleeve disposed around said cylinder, oppositely disposed downwardly projecting arms associated with said sleeve, a member projecting through said slots and fixed to the lower ends of said arms and to the movable piston, and outwardly projecting members fixed to said sliding sleeve and to said regulating. valves.

9. The combination with a plurality of rheostats severally having discharge valves and regulating valves, a main fluid-operated device disposed between said rheostats and adapted to concurrently raise and lower said regulating valves, and a plurality of fluidoperated devices adapted to independently actuate said discharge valves, of a plurality of auxiliary switches adapted to be actuated by said independent fluid-operated devices in predetermined positions thereof, and a device and adapted to be engaged and-ac tuated thereby in its respective extreme positions, and other auxiliary switches associated with said independent operating devices and adapted to be actuated thereby in their 'respective lowest positions) -11. The combination"with a plurality-oi liquid rheostats having movable regulating valves, and a fluid-operated device disposed between said rheostats and adapted to concurrently actuate said valves, of a normally closed springactuated switch adapted to be opened by engagement with said ope 'ating device in its lowest position, and a normally open spring-actuated switch adapted to be closed by engagement with said operating device in its highest position.

12. The combination with a liquid rheostat having a movable regulating valve and a fluid-operated device for actuating said valve. of a plurality of auxiliary switches biased to predetern'iined positions and adapted to be respectively engaged and actuated by said fluid-operated device in its respective extreme positions of travel.

13. The combination with a liquid rheostat having a movable discharge valve, and a. spring-opposed fluid-operated device for actuating said valve, of an auxiliary switch biased to a predetermim-id position and adapted to be actuated by said fluid-operated device in one of its extreme positions of travel.

14-. The combination with an operating cylinder having longitudinal slots therein, a plurality of pistons movably disposed within said cylinder. and a piston rod joining said pistons. of a cross member fixed to substantially the mid-point of said piston rod and projecting through said longitudinal slots, a sleeve member having a sliding bearing upon said cylinder at a material distance "from said cross member, and means for rigidly fastening saidslecve to said cross member.

The combination with a plurality of devices each having a plurality of movable members, of an operating device for concurrently actuating certain corresponding members of said devices. and aplurality of operating devices associated therewith for independently actuating the other movable members of said first devices.

16. The combination with a plurality of devices having a plurality of movable mem-' bers, of a single fluid-operated means "for rality of separate fluid-actuated means severally ZISSOClfLtQfl with said first fluid-operated means for independently actuating the other movable members of each of said device's.

'The combination with apair of liquid rheostats disposed in side-byside relation and each having a movable discharge valve and a movable regulating valve, of an ope'rating cylinder and a movable piston disposed between said rheostats, a plurality of oppositely projecting arms associated with theinovable piston and with-the regulating valves of the respective rheostats, whereby said valves are concurrently actuated, oppositely projecting arms secured to the upper end. of said cylinder, and independent operating cylinders and movable pistons attached to the respective ends of said last mentioned arms and adapted to individually actuate the respective discharge valves.

18. The combination of a oair of liquid rheostats having movable valves, of an operating cylinder embodying a movable piston disposed therein, and means mechanically associated with said piston below the upper ends of said rheostats tor concurrently actuating said valves.

19. The combination with a pair o't' liquid rheostats having movable valves. of an operating cylinder disposed intermediate said rheostats and having a movable piston therein, supporting means surrounding said cylinder and having a sliding bearing there on, said means being associated with both of said valves, and means for rigidly associating said supporting means with said piston at a material distance from said supporting means.

20. The combination with a plurality of rheostats severally having discharge valves and regulating valves, a main fluid-operated device disposed between said rheostats and adapted to concurrently raise and lower said regulating valves, and a plurality of auxiliary fluid-operated devices adapted to independently actuate said discharge valves. of an auxiliary switch associated with said main operating device and adapted to be engaged and actuated thereby in a predetermined position thereof, and another auxiliary switch associated with one of said auxiliary independent operating devices and adapted to be actuated thereby.

21. The combination with a liquid rheostat having a movable regulating valve and a fluid-actuateddevice for actuating said valve. of an auxiliary switch biased to a predetermined position and adapted to be engaged and actuated by said fluid-operated device in a predetermined position of its travel.

The combination with an operating cylinder having a longitudinal slot therein, a movable piston and piston rod disposed within said cylinder, and a cross member as upon said cylinder at a material distance sociated With said rod below the piston and subscribed our names this 16th day of June, projecting through said longitudinal slot, 1914. of a sleeve member having a sliding bearing KARL A SIMMON above said cross member, and means for ARTHUR HALL rigidly fastening said sleeve to said cross Witnesses: member. I G. R. IRWIN, In testimony whereof, we have hereunto B. B. HINEs.

CO'DiCS of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

